My Two Cents
Heads up, Bits readers! Our friends at Lionsgate are about to launch two new 4K Ultra HD Steelbook titles on their Lionsgate Limited direct-to-consumer web store: Paul Verhoeven’s Basic Instinct (1992) and Abel Ferrara’s King of New York (1990)!
Both will be released on 100GB for maximum video quality. Both will feature Dolby Vision HDR. Both will include English 5.1 DTS-HD Master Audio along with the Original Theatrical Stereo mixes.
In terms of special features, Basic Instinct will include bonus content from the previous Blu-ray edition, as well as extras that haven’t appeared since VHS, LaserDisc, and DVD. Note that Basic Instinct will also feature the same 4K master released by StudioCanal (including the same color grade, because that was director approved).
Among the features are audio commentary with director Paul Verhoeven and cinematographer Jan de Bont, a second commentary with journalist Camille Paglia, and the 1993 commentary with Verhoeven, an Introduction by Sharon Stone, the 1993 Introduction with Paul Verhoeven—two featurettes new in the US, including Basic Instinct: Sex, Death & Stone and An Unending Story: Scoring Basic Instinct—3 more legacy featurettes (A Conversation with Sharon Stone, Blonde Poison: The Making of Basic Instinct, and Cleaning up Basic Instinct), 3 Storyboard Comparisons, Original Screen Tests for Sharon Stone and Jeanne Tripplehorn, the 2021 4K Trailer, the Theatrical Trailer, the Director’s Cut Trailer, and a TV Spot. You can see the cover artwork below the break. [Read on here...]
We’ve got some great announcement news to report here at The Digital Bits today, at the start of a new week...
First of all, our friends at Kino Lorber Studio Classics have begun announcing new 4K Ultra HD catalog titles licensed from Paramount, which so far include Stephen Surjik’s Wayne’s World 2 (1993) and Peter and Bobby Farrelly’s Kingpin (1996). We also expect Ken Finkleman’s Airplane II: The Sequel (1982) to be revealed soon as well. All are reported to be “coming soon” and we expect more titles to be revealed in the weeks ahead.
While we’re talking KL Studio Classics, we’ve learned that their already announced 4K release of Dante’s Peak (1997) has been delayed from its original 2/11 street date to 5/27. So adjust your plans accordingly.
Meanwhile, Paramount has officially set Star Trek: Section 31 (2025) for Blu-ray, DVD, 4K Ultra HD Steelbook, and Digital release on 4/29. Extras will include 5 featurettes (Art Squad, Alpha Squad, Stunts Squad, Gear Squad, and Georgiou) as well as a gag reel. (Though based on the reviews, the entire film may as well be a gag reel.) The Blu-ray SKUs will include Dolby Atmos audio.
Neon has set Steven Soderbergh’s Presence (2024) for Blu-ray, DVD, and 4K Ultra HD release on 5/20. [Read on here...]
We have two more new disc reviews for you today here at The Bits...
Stuart’s look at A Man Called Shenandoah: The Complete Series (1965-66) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And Dennis and Tim have taken a look at Guillermo del Toro’s Cronos (1992) in 4K Ultra HD from Criterion.
The big news today is that Arrow Video has just unveiled their full Blu-ray and 4K Ultra HD release slate for May, which is set to include D.W. Medoff’s I Will Never Leave You Alone (2023) on Blu-ray (in the UK only) on 5/5, Robert Wise’s The Andromeda Strain (1971) in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/13, Jim Isaac’s Jason X (2001) and Adam Marcus’ Jason Goes to Hell (1993) both in 4K Ultra HD (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/20, Sergio Leone’s For a Few Dollars More (1965) on Blu-ray and 4K UHD (in the UK only) on 5/26, and Adilkhan Yerzhanov’s Steppenwolf (2024) on Blu-ray (in the US, UK, and Canada) on 5/27. [Read on here...]
We’ve got a bunch of new disc reviews up this week for your reading enjoyment here at The Bits, including...
My thoughts on Milos Forman’s Amadeus: Theatrical Cut (1984) in 4K Ultra HD from Warner Bros. as well as Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II (2024) in 4K Ultra HD from Paramount.
Tim’s reviews of Alfred Sole’s Alice, Sweet Alice (1976) and Robert Rodriguez’s The Mexico Trilogy (1992-2003) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video, as well as The Project A Collection (1983-87) in 4K UHD from 88 Films.
Dennis’ looks at Dick Lowry’s Last Stand at Saber River (1997) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection and Melville Shavelson’s Houseboat (1958) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
Stuart’s review of Gregory La Cava’s Gabriel Over the White House (1933) on Blu-ray from the Warner Archive Collection.
And finally, Sam Cohen’s take on Gillian Armstrong’s Little Women (1994) in 4K Ultra HD from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment. [Editor’s Note: There is apparently an audio issue with this disc that’s described in the review. Sony is aware of the problem and investigating. We’ll report back here once they figure it out and launch a disc replacement program.]
There aren’t a lot of new announcements to report today, but Kino Lorber Studio Classics has set Gary Sherman’s Vice Squad (1982) for 4K Ultra HD release on 5/13. [Read on here...]
We’ve got several new 4K and Blu-ray reviews for you all to enjoy today, including...
Stephen’s exhaustive and in-depth take on David Fincher’s Panic Room (2002) in 4K Steelbook from Sony Pictures Home Entertainment, as well as his thoughts on Peter R. Hunt’s Shout at the Devil (1976) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics, and also Tobe Hooper’s Lifeforce (1985) in 4K Ultra HD from Arrow Video in the UK. And for the record, I think Stephen’s take on Panic Room is right on the money and well worth reading for 4K enthusiasts. (Especially you young whippersnappers who seem to think a 4K disc must be absolutely reference quality to have any value—gather ‘round, Professor Bjork is teaching class.)
My review of Sergio Leone’s Once Upon a Time in the West (1968) in 4K Ultra HD from Italy’s Eagle Pictures via their 4Kult line, a disc that features an encode optimized for a 100GB disc (and which is a notable improvement over the Paramount Presents 4K release).
Dennis thoughts on Carl Reiner’s Summer Rental (1985) on Blu-ray from Kino Lorber Studio Classics.
And finally Tim’s look at the excellent Tom and Jerry: The Complete CinemaScope Collection on Blu-ray from our friends at the Warner Archive Collection.
More reviews are on the way this week, including my thoughts on Gladiator II and Amadeus in 4K, Tim’s look at Arrow’s Mexico Trilogy in 4K, and more. So be sure to keep your eyes peeled for those.
In announcement news today, Warner Bros. Discovery Home Entertainment has now confirmed that non-Steelbook 4K versions of all the recent Clint Eastwood titles are due on 4/15 as well, including Dirty Harry (1971), The Outlaw Josey Wales (1976), and Pale Rider (1985). It looks like all three films will feature new Dolby Atmos mixes with HDR10 high dynamic range. You can see the Amaray covers below the break. [Read on here...]